Deputy Chief Bryan Wheeles has been named the Interim Police Chief for the City of Topeka. Deputy Chief Wheeles will take over for Chief Cochran when he retires on January 1st. Wheeles will start his duties as Interim Chief on January 2nd.
“Deputy Chief Wheeles is the best candidate to be the Interim Police Chief for the City of Topeka,” said City Manager Brent Trout. “Chief Cochran has done a wonderful job with the Topeka Police Department and will be leaving it in capable hands. Bryan Wheeles has the experience in all aspects of police work with strong leadership abilities and a dedication to the community as a whole.”
Bryan Wheeles has worked with the Topeka Police Department for twenty-six years, starting his service on June 13th, 1994. Wheeles has worked in several capacities at the Topeka Police Department including; patrol, narcotics, criminal investigation, criminal intelligence and administration. Most recently Wheeles has been serving as the Deputy Chief of Police.
“I am very excited to continue my career in public service as the interim Chief of Police. I am truly honored to lead the brave men and women of the Topeka Police Department. We serve a great community and I look forward to continued collaboration in 2021,” said Deputy Chief Wheeles.
Wheeles graduated from Central Missouri State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice in 1994. He has been a member of the Boys & Girls Club of Topeka Board of Directors since 2015 and is currently serving as the Vice President. Wheeles’s salary as Interim Police Chief will be $131,192.
City Manager Trout will announce when he will begin the search for the next permanent Police Chief at a later date. Both internal and external candidates will be considered for the position.
